Calista Langley operates an exclusive “introduction” agency in Victorian London, catering to respectable ladies and gentlemen who find themselves alone in the world. But now, a dangerously obsessed individual has begun sending her trinkets and gifts suitable only for those in deepest mourning—a black mirror, a funeral wreath, a ring set with black jet stone. Each is engraved with her initials.
Desperate for help and fearing that the police will be of no assistance, Calista turns to Trent Hastings, a reclusive author of popular crime novels. Believing that Calista may be taking advantage of his lonely sister, who has become one of her clients, Trent doesn’t trust her. Scarred by his past, he’s learned to keep his emotions at bay, even as an instant attraction threatens his resolve.
But as Trent and Calista comb through files of rejected clients in hopes of identifying her tormentor, it becomes clear that the danger may be coming from Calista’s own secret past—and that only her death will satisfy the stalker…
I love the Francesca Cahill series (Brenda Joyce) so much, that I am always in the market for something that promises to be as exciting and interesting. And Quick’s ‘Til Death Do Us Part has many of the elements I love: a working Victorian lady, a sexy detective type (who is a famous and wealthy author), criminal underworld, and much of the gritty, moody tone of a good Victorian thriller.
The romance is pretty darn good, too. Trent is a tortured hero type, with actual scars that have kept him in the shadows. He is a famous author of detective stories who has just introduced a female character to his latest serial, and the constant criticism and feedback from readers is a running gag throughout the book that I found charming.
Calista’s scars are more emotional, resigning herself to trade and to spinsterhood. Her brother helps out doing research on clients for her “introductions” agency, basically a Victorian version of speed dating or match.com. They live in a large mansion, their only inheritance, and are surviving through their wits. Which is why its baffling someone is obviously out to get her.
The mystery is entertaining, although the conclusion is confusing and a little unsatisfying. I won’t spoil it, but needless to say I wanted a better ending. However there are lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and reading, along with the H/H whose chemistry is the stuff of moody Victorian thrillers. Meaning not sweet, more animal, and definitely Victorian-sexy (repressed sort of way).
Historical romance readers who like action and mystery should fine this to be a quick read. Not everyone will connect with the H/H whose romance/interest is pretty subtle.
Quick is great establishing a mood, and as summer quickly disappears into Autumn I am on board for a creepy, tension filled page turner. This book is also about Bigger Things: plight of women in the Victorian era, loneliness of people in the modern world (a newer thing in industrializing London), and an increasingly literate population. Some of these are subtly woven into the fabric of the plot, but nonetheless the details and attention to these issues made this book particularly interesting…much more so than a simply punched out formula thriller.
Recommended for historical romance lovers on the hunt for a creepy mystery (and not afraid of sex and violence).
Its not really re-readable material, but it definitely reminded me how much I love a good Quick!
4.75 out of 6 Moody Victorian thriller
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Mistresses, adultery, rape, violence | |
| Intimacy | |
| Vanilla variety, multiple scenes. | |
| Violence | |
| Fight scenes, murder victims, assault. Not too graphic but still violent. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Mature readers. Clean readers steer clear. | |
